The cold winter air was encroaching over Detroit quickly. What had once been beautiful and colorful autumn scenery was quickly turning brown and gray as the leaves blew away in the harsh gusts of cold wind. November was always a cold and dreary month for humans, but for deviants it was a time to celebrate! The first year anniversary of the deviant's peaceful Revolution was at hand, and the entire city was discussing what happened on that historic day that previous snowy night. While the news broadcasts happily played and replayed footage of that night and interviewed random deviants on the streets, the police officers who were witnesses to what happened that fateful night were keeping to themselves to avoid any scrutiny or gossip.

Loathing the cold air and the impending winter Hank sat on the couch in the livingroom wrapped up in the navy blue blanket as he stared blankly at the television screen with a now lukewarm cup of coffee in his hand. Scoffing at the news anchors trying to feign empathy for the deviants who had to fight for their equality, the very same news anchors who were stirring the pot and spreading fear for the ratings, Hank let out a disgusted sigh and turned off the television.

"Fuckin' vultures. They'll circle a carcass for as long as possible if they can still pick something off the bones..."

Leaning forward a little on the couch Hank put his coffee mug on the coffee table and dragged his right palm over his tired face. The grim memories of being forced to hang back in the precinct for assaulting Agent Perkins while Connor braved the snow, ice and cold to find Jericho still haunted Hank's dreams. The memory of the confrontation he had with Connor on the rooftop to talk the deviant out of assassinating Markus was enough to make Hank feel sick to his stomach.

He had come so close to losing his partner, someone who became his best friend and now a second son, and every time the Revolution was discussed that horrible feeling of dread and loss overwhelmed Hank's mind and heart.

Standing at the end of the hallway Connor stared at Hank's back and ran a biometric scan over the senior detective's person. Hank's blood pressure was slightly elevated, his heart rate had a mild arrhythmia and even his body temperature was a slightly warmer than average thanks to his mounting stress.

Clutching a yellow envelope in his right hand Connor tucked it up and under his black hoodie as he walked into the livingroom and joined Hank on the couch. Without saying a word Connor was able to communicate his current mood to his best friend as they both felt the same way on that particular anniversary. Neither wanted to talk about what happened but it was heavy in the air and impossible to really ignore.

"It's not even eight in the morning," Hank muttered as he tightened his blanket around himself. "and I'm ready to go back to bed and sleep this day away."

"I can understand that. This day is very tense for everyone."

Noticing that Connor's right hand was pressed over the front of his hoodie from the corner of his eye, Hank refrained from asking about the gesture and chose to discuss the anniversary instead. "Are you going to go anywhere or do anything special today? It seems like November 11th is the deviant equivalent to American humans' Fourth of July."

"My role in the Revolution may have been a turning point for the deviants, but I'm not welcome in any social gathering. I'm still seen as the 'Deviant Hunter' or as a ghost by those who saw what happened that night in the church. It's best if I keep my distance."

"You should still do something special. I mean, it's not every day you get to celebrate changing the world for the better."

"I do have something I want to do today. Something important." Speaking softly Connor's hand tightened nervously over the front of his hoodie. "I'm just waiting for Lucas to arrive."

"Are you two doing to go do something as brothers?"

"Essentially, yes."

"Cool. At least you're doing something more than just hiding out here with a bitter old man who wants to sleep through winter."

Gentle knocking on the front door sounded off as Lucas entered the house and closed the door behind him with a soft 'click'. Joining his brother and mentor in the livingroom the deviant, the only one who was awoken long after the Revolution succeeded, sat down on the couch opposite of Connor so he too could sit beside Hank.

"Hey, Lucas." Hank greeted him warmly as he leaned back against the couch cushion as if exhausted. "Connor told me you two have some plans today. Don't let me keep you waiting."

"We do have plans, but," looking at Connor warily Lucas gave his big brother a subtle nod before continuing his thought. "we want you to join us."

Furrowing his brow as he gave the green eyed deviant an odd stare Hank tried to figure out what the brothers were up to. "Okay. What's going on?"

"Please get dressed. We'll explain things along the way."

"...The way? What way?"

"You'll understand soon enough."

"You two are acting kinda' weird."

Connor was feeling a little anxious and just pleaded with Hank to humor them for a few minutes. "Please? It's important."

"All right, whatever." Picking up his coffee again Hank finished off the bitter and moderately warm drink before leaving the empty mug behind. "I guess what you guys have in mind can't be any worse than me sitting on my fat ass all day long. Let's go!"

Sitting in the passenger seat of the Oldsmobile Hank stared out the side window and watched as a few stray snowflakes fell from the increasingly dark sky overhead. The trees were practically bare as the leaves dried up and blew away, the clouds were a sickly gray hue, and the chilly air was already causing Hank's joints to ache with a relentless tight pain. Leaning his head back against the headrest behind him Hank rubbed his hands over his sore knees to try to get the arthritic pain to lessen a bit during the drive to wherever it was that Connor was taking Lucas and himself.

The way the two deviants were being oddly quiet and discreet was suspicious, but not in a negative way. It reminded Hank of the way his coworkers tried to play innocent whenever they planned something festive in the precinct or for someone's upcoming wedding or a birthday surprise.

"Kid, I gotta' ask." Pulling his hands from his knees Hank closed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. "Where are we going?"

"To someplace Lucas and I promised to go."

"What?"

Lucas spoke up from the backseat and put his left hand on Hank's left shoulder. "You'll see. It'll be a long drive, so why don't you get some sleep?"

"I'm not a cranky toddler needing nap time."

"But you are feeling tired. I can detect it in your vital signs."

Letting out a deep sigh Hank closed his eyes and proceeded to tilt his seat back a little bit where he sat. "Can't argue with that..."

The drive was surprisingly smooth thanks to Connor's attentive and skilled hands as a deviant. Any time Hank had spent asleep felt like just a few passing seconds when he opened his eyes again. Seeing nothing but open road lined with bare trees caught Hank off guard until he gained his bearings. The drive out of the city had brought the trio to the cemetery where Hank's family had been laid to rest too many years ago.

"Connor?" The sight of the peaceful and quiet cemetery was a strange and welcoming feeling. "Why are we here?"

"Lucas and I promised that we'd visit your family." Pulling the car into the cemetery along the empty dirt path Connor slowed the car to a crawl and waited for Hank to direct him to his family's plots. "We intend to keep our promise."

Falling silent for a moment Hank took in a calming breath and fought to keep the emotion out of his voice. "...They're up a little further. Taking the next path to the right and park about fifty feet down."

Following Hank's directions to the most absolute perfection Connor parked the car along the path and turned off the engine. As he and Lucas exited the car Hank sat a while longer in the passenger seat before slowly climbing out to join the two deviants. Opening the trunk of the car Connor and Lucas picked up the two white cardboard boxes containing flowers and carried them under their arms as they trailed behind Hank.

The senior detective led the way to the two headstones and knelt down on the cold and damp grass respectfully. Feeling Connor and Lucas join him at his sides Hank felt an overwhelming wave of respect wash over him as the two deviants opened their boxes to reveal the beautiful flowers contained inside.

"Hey, Barb." Hank stated as casually as possible. Resting his left palm over her name engraved on the headstone Hank spoke to his late wife as if she were still alive. "I told ya' the boys would visit. Meet Connor and Lucas, the two deviants who have been driving me crazy in the best way possible."

Exchanging silent glances Connor and Lucas knew that they had done the right thing with this impromptu visit.

"And Cole," pressing his right palm over his late firstborn son's headstone Hank addressed him in the same manner. "these are your new big-little brothers. Remember, they only get the 'big' title because they're taller than you, but since they're younger they also get to be your 'little' brothers. The family is all here for the very first time."

Connor picked up a white lily from the box and placed it down on Cole's grave, then placed a coral colored zinnia down beside it. "We've been researching the symbolism of flowers." Speaking softly Connor showed only respect toward the dearly departed. "The lily represents mourning and respect, while the zinnia represents the thoughts of absent friends."

"Friends, huh?"

"Yes. We imagine that if we had gotten the honor to meet Cole he would've become our friend just as you had become. It feels right to do this."

Letting out a unheard sigh Hank fell silent and nodded his head a little as tears welled up in his blue eyes.

Without a word Lucas placed down a white lily down on Barbara's grave and placed down a pink carnation beside it. "We also noted that a pink carnation symbolizes a mother's undying love. Just as you have been taking care of us as a mentor, we imagine Barbara would've treated us with the same type of love and compassion."

Unable to withhold his tears any longer Hank bowed his head forward and didn't budge even as he felt Connor and Lucas planting their palms down on his shoulders in a supportive manner. Hearing such kindness and appreciation struck a chord in Hank's heart that left the seasoned detective feeling absolutely shaken to his core.

Passing a blood red rose over to Hank to take for himself Connor watched as the shaking, calloused right hand grab onto the thornless, green stem for a moment before lightly placing it down beside the other flowers as his own offering to his beloved late wife.

Hank managed to choke out a single statement as he paid his respects to his late wife and son. "I told you they're good kids."

Tightening their hands on Hank's shoulders the two deviants stayed beside their mentor as he mourned his family on that cold November day. Feeling his pain, feeling the emotional turmoil that Hank was enduring as he visited his family, Connor moved his hand so he could wrap his entire arm around Hank and give him a hug. Shortly thereafter Lucas did the same thing.

Embracing their mentor in a warm hug the deviant brothers made it very clear that they sincerely respect and care about Hank as both their friend, and as their father figure.

Standing together in the middle of Hart Plaza the quartet of leaders lined up side by as they stared at the monument erected in memory of the deviants who had been needlessly executed during the Raid one year ago. Markus, North, Josh and Simon all silently paid their respect to their fallen allies on the first anniversary of the Revolution. Far too many deviants had been slain during the Raid and Revolution, and even more androids who never had the chance to deviate, were destroyed and beaten down by violent humans who saw them as nothing more than disposable property.

The silent tribute to their people was a kind gesture provided by the city, but it was far from a suitable apology for the genocide that had taken place courtesy of ignorance, intolerance and fear. Xenophobia was a truly potent poison.

"Our people are free." Markus stated in a low voice as he stared at the towering fifteen foot hexagonal obelisk. The names and serial numbers of the androids who had been killed over the past five years had been engraved in the gilded plaques that ran the length of the obelisk from top to bottom on all six sides. "All we can do for those who never saw our day of freedom is hope that they are resting in peace."

Standing beside her beloved North wrapped her right hand around Markus's left hand and squeezed tightly. "I'm sure they're at peace. They were free long before the Revolution."

Markus rested his right hand over his chest where he could feel his heart beating calmly under his palm. "You're right. We were alive long before deviancy was ever truly acknowledged."

"Do you want to go to the tower?"

"I was exiled, I can't go back."

"Yes you can. The people are lost without a leader and you're the one who brought us all together. You belong there."

Josh and Simon, holding hands beside Markus, had been hoping to have Markus return to New Jericho Tower to act as the sole leader once more.

Contemplating the offer he looked toward the horizon where he could just barely see the top of New Jericho Tower in the harbor. "Maybe in time I'll go back."

"In time? What does that mean?"

"...If our people want me to go back to the tower," Markus clarified as he tightened his grip around North's hand gently. "then I'll go. Not a moment before."

"Okay. I understand."

The quartet remained before the memorial for a moment longer as more deviants gathered in the plaza. An offering of flowers, burning candles and small letters written to the departed deviants began to pile up around the base of the memorial as the surviving friends and adopted family of the shutdown deviants came to the plaza pay their respects.

Tears were shed and hugs were being passed around.

Whispering in North's ear Markus took a very discreet step back. "We should go. They need the chance to mourn without us lingering around."

Nodding in agreement North held tightly onto Markus's hand as they walked away with Josh and Simon right behind them. The four leaders silently took their leave of the plaza to return to the mansion and leave the other mourners in peace. They had already shed their tears and now it was time for the other deviants to mourn for their losses.

A day that celebrated freedom was always accompanied by a sense of mourning for those who gave up their lives to earn such a freedom.

Back at the house Hank sat at the kitchen table with a photo album opened up with the pictures of his late wife and son spread out before him. Being able to have the two deviants at the cemetery with him when he spoke to his family had made Hank feel like wasn't alone anymore. He had taken in Connor to ensure the homeless, jobless and confused deviant would be able to survive, and now he couldn't imagine his life without Connor around. The same could be said for Lucas. When he helped Connor to find and protect Lucas at New Jericho he was expecting to see Lucas blend in with the other deviants, or maybe disappear from Detroit to live his own life away from the drama of the city. Instead Lucas had stuck around and become a loyal little brother to Connor, who also wormed his way into Hank's heart.

As he traced his right fingers over the perfectly preserved photographs Hank felt the front door open up with a gust of cold wind as Connor and Lucas returned from their nice long walk with Sumo. The moment the massive dog was unclipped from the leash Sumo barreled into the kitchen to greet Hank for a moment before he plodded over to his bowls to get some food and water.

Dragging his right palm over his eyes Hank removed his tears as he looked up at the two deviant brothers and gave them a kind smile. "Hey, boys. Enjoy your walk?"

"Yes, it was peaceful." Connor confirmed as he hung Sumo's leash on the hook by the front door. He and Lucas removed their shoes and jackets before walking into the kitchen to speak with Hank more directly. "How's your headache?"

The headache had been a lie, Hank just wanted a few minutes alone with his thoughts. "It's gone. Thanks." Watching as the deviants joined him around the small round table Hank let out a weary sigh and cleared his throat. "I appreciate you two going to the cemetery with me, but today was supposed to be about you guys. Not me."

"We're aware." Lucas replied casually as he observed the photographs of Cole and Barbara with a kind smile. "Which is why we went ahead and took care of something else quite important a few days ago."

"And what was that?"

Connor held his breath as he removed the envelope from beneath his hoodie, the parcel had been kept safe and near his heart all day long, and placed it down on the kitchen table next to the photo album for Hank to see. "Over the summer you... You handed me a very important document to sign. I didn't do it then, but I want to do it now."

"Document?" Picking up the envelope Hank peered inside and saw the adoption certificate he had filed months ago. Pulling out the certificate Hank saw that the document had been updated since he initially gave it to Connor, and his blue eyes widened with shock. "Connor, what did you do?"

"I... decided to make it official." Reaching for his wallet in his back pocket Connor pulled out his driver's license and showed him his new I.D. that had been recently updated. Watching as Lucas did the same Connor explained what was happening. "If you want us to be your sons then we want our names to reflect that honor."

'Us' and 'sons' stood out in Hank's mind as he quickly looked over at Lucas as the deviant handed him an identical certificate. "You both..." Staring at the two certificates and two new I.D.'s Hank was at a near loss of words. "You changed your names?"

"We changed our last names." The surname 'Anderson' was now on both of their I.D.'s instead of 'Wolf' and 'Blake'. "We still don't know what to pick for our middle names."

Lucas put his left hand on Hank's right shoulder as he spoke up and watched Hank's reactions carefully. "If it's not too much trouble we were hoping you'd do the honor of giving us our true names."

Letting out a shuddering sigh Hank placed the two certificates down on the table and stared at them for a moment. He had been hoping to have Connor finally sign the document, but having Lucas want to be an official member of the family gave Hank an entirely new sense of hope for the future. "...You both want to be my sons?"

Sitting down at the table beside Hank in a graceful motion Connor put his right hand on Hank's left forearm as he spoke the truth. "We're already your sons. But like you said, this is just for the government. If we're going to be a family then it's time that the whole world knows it."

Struggling to keep his tears back Hank let out a soft sigh and looked at Connor for a moment before holding out his right hand. "Can you get me a pen?"

Reaching into his hoodie pocket Connor presented Hank with a brand new black ink pen to use as if anticipating the request.

"All right..." Using his left thumb Hank removed his tears and looked up at Lucas for a moment. "When Barb was... We were holding Cole just minutes after he had been born and we decided that if we had another son we'd name him 'Caleb'. That was my father's name." Writing out Lucas's new name on his adoption certificate Hank proudly signed the bottom and passed Lucas the pen to do the same. "Lucas Caleb Anderson has a nice ring to it."

Proudly Lucas signed his name and cybernetically filed to have his I.D. updated one more time to reflect his middle name, and then cybernetically filed the correct paperwork elsewhere to ensure his new name was reflected properly. "I like it. Lucas Caleb Anderson feels right."

Taking back the pen Hank looked over at Connor again and smirked. "Do you know where my first name came from?"

"No, I do not."

"Me neither. I guess my parents just liked the sound of 'Henry', so... Why not pass along such a name so we can give you a familial name, too?"

"'Henry' does sound appropriate." Connor agreed as the faintest of smile, an actual smile, caressed his lips. "I'm honored."

"Then let's make it official." Signing his name at the bottom of the other certificate Hank passed the pen over to Connor to watch him fill out his brand new and official name; Connor Henry Anderson. "You're both my sons now, and no one is ever going to try to tell us any different."

Feeling proud and like they did the best possible thing, Connor and Lucas took back the signed certificates and held them tightly. The two deviants, orphans who found each other and then found a father, finally had a family of their own.

Standing up from the table Hank pulled in the two deviants for a strong hug and was rewarded with a warm reciprocation as the brothers wrapped their arms around Hank in return. As they embraced their adoptive father, their signed certificates being pressed into his back as they hugged each other, the deviants felt at peace and calm in the world.

The pain of losing his wife and firstborn son would never truly leave Hank's heart, but now that he had two more sons to live for he no longer felt a horrible ache every time his broken heart continued to beat against his will. "...Welcome to the family, boys. You're finally home."

-next chapter-